One year ago Amazon began its rally to $100. Y/Y margins showed improvement and bears like the author got squeezed badly. The stock climbed for three consecutive quarters as the street believed margins were growing. But are margins really improving? Last quarter, Amazon operating margins reversed course again and so did the stock price. Amazon's share price is highly correlated with its operating margins.
Current midpoint guidance expects 1Q08 revenue to be $4.05B and operating income of $177M. This Yields an operating margin of 4.4% -- forty basis points lower than the year-earlier period and the lowest first quarter numbers in recent history.
Expect Amazon.com margins to be pressured again and expect the share price for follow suit.